New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz Predictions, Odds & Picks

• After a strong start, the Pelicans have won one of their last six matches.
• The Jazz on the other hand is enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak!
• Over 62 regular-season meetings, the Jazz leads the Pelicans 39 to 23.

Odds from DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.

Pelicans vs Jazz Predictions and Picks

The Pelicans have been dreadful as of late, allowing their opponents to shoot brilliantly from three. While undermanned, the Jazz’s scoring options may be too great for the undisciplined Pelicans defence to overcome.

Picks:

Utah Jazz to Win (-230)

Over 218 (-112)

Take a look at our NBA betting bonuses and promo codes here!

How to Watch Pelicans vs Jazz

Head-to-Head: New Orleans Pelicans vs Utah Jazz

Play from the Inside Out

The New Orleans Pelicans have a glut of capable playmakers and scorers. From Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram to JJ Redick and Eric Bledsoe, you’d be hard-pressed to say they are lacking offensive options. However, as seen in their last victory, the Pelicans can do to play the simple game at times.

It is easy to say when you have a talent like Zion Williamson roaming the paint, but the Pelicans have such strength inside, they should take advantage of it more often. Williamson was an efficient 13 of 15 from the field while Adams dominated the boards with 15 rebounds.

It won’t be easy against the interior presence of Rudy Gobert, but if New Orleans can establish a paint presence, their perimeter game will open up drastically.

Editor’s Picks

• 2020-2021 Northwest Division Winner Odds & Predictions
• 2020-2021 Southwest Division Winner Odds & Predictions
• 2021 NBA Championship Odds & Predictions

Defence Is Still Utah’s Best Asset

The Utah Jazz has gone through the years as an excellent defensive team and just a middling offensive team. While they’ve improved on the scoring end, the defensive side of the ball is still their calling card.

They’ll need to be focused when they face the scoring threat that the Pelicans present. While the Jazz’s perimeter defence has been solid, they tend to give up opportunities in the paint as a consequence.

Allowing 47.8 paint points per game, the Jazz is 22nd in the league at protecting the inside. With New Orleans’ interior options, Utah will have to gamble carefully on whom they commit to in the paint or on the perimeter.

Pelicans Key Player: (G) JJ Redick

.@jj_redick hits his 4th triple of the night and LAL takes the timeout up 4 pic.twitter.com/LwJoThXlC8

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 16, 2021

Yes, the Pelicans have some more capable individual options than JJ Redick on offence, but it is his sharpshooting that can keep the Jazz on their toes.

At 36 years old, Redick’s production is the lowest it’s been since his third season in the league. However, at 21.8 minutes per game, you can’t count out a 41.5% career three-point shooter.

Redick has the opportunity to open up the Pelicans’ offensive options with a rim-protector like Gobert roaming the paint. Whether or not he’ll give it away on the defensive end is the other concern.

Jazz Key Player: (G) Jordan Clarkson

.@jj_redick hits his 4th triple of the night and LAL takes the timeout up 4 pic.twitter.com/LwJoThXlC8

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 16, 2021

The Utah Jazz seems to have found Jordan Clarkson’s niche and it is as a sparkplug scorer off the bench. Averaging a career-high in points this season, Clarkson has been the catalyst for much of the Jazz’s recent success.

Over the course of the Jazz’s five-game win streak, the Philippines international averaged 20.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on 50.6% shooting from the field and 43.8% shooting from three. His 4.2 three-point field goals per game were brilliant.

Clarkson can be a difference-maker for the sometimes scoring deficient Jazz. If he can get his offence going early, the Jazz has a good chance of taking this game.